Optical Transceiver Clock Recovery Circuit Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical transceivers compliant with QSFP28 and QSFP-DD have different management interface specifications, making it difficult to reuse an optical transceiver from one type of apparatus on another without rewriting the program, which is time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

An optical transceiver with a clock recovery circuit and a processor that can regenerate clock signals and execute programs for different transmission rates, allowing it to adapt to either QSFP28 or QSFP-DD apparatus by prioritizing programs and adjusting clock recovery operations based on the connected apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an optical transceiver is designed to comply with a specific management interface specification (SFF-8636 for QSFP28 or CMIS for QSFP-DD), then it can operate reliably with transmission apparatus of that type, but it cannot be directly reused with transmission apparatus of a different type without program rewriting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidcompatibility with different transmission apparatus types

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The optical transceiver is designed with a universal program execution capability that allows it to adapt to different management interface specifications (SFF-8636 and CMIS) by loading and executing appropriate programs. The processor can execute either the first program corresponding to SFF-8636 or the second program corresponding to CMIS, enabling the same hardware to work with both QSFP28 and QSFP-DD transmission apparatus types without physical modification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical transceiver changes its operational parameters by switching between different programs stored in memory. The processor selects and executes the appropriate program based on the required management interface specification, thereby changing the operational mode of the transceiver to match the connected transmission apparatus type

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a program is downloaded and rewritten to an optical transceiver to enable compatibility with a different transmission apparatus type, then the transceiver can be reused, but the process requires significant time and effort from the user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereusability across different apparatus typesVSAvoidprogram switching time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple programs corresponding to different management interface specifications are pre-loaded into the memory of the optical transceiver before operation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming program downloads and rewriting during field operations, as the processor can directly select and execute the appropriate pre-stored program

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the clock recovery circuit always regenerates the clock signal, then communication can proceed without interruption, but it may operate with incorrect transmission rate settings when connected to mismatched apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidtransmission rate accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The processor determines whether to regenerate the clock signal based on feedback about the connection state and transmission rate settings. The clock recovery circuit regenerates the clock signal only when the processor confirms that the transmission rate real value matches the expected value for the connected apparatus type, ensuring accurate operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables seamless switching between QSFP28 and QSFP-DD apparatus without the need for program rewriting, facilitating efficient operation and reducing the effort required for adapting to changing transmission demands.

Implementation Method 1

a clock recovery circuit that is capable of regenerating a clock signal from any one of the first electrical signal transmitted at the first transmission rate and the second electrical signal transmitted at the second transmission rate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectClock signal regeneration:

Data Source

PatentUS11539439B2Optical transceiver and control method therefor

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

An optical transceiver is pluggable to any one of a first apparatus and a second apparatus and includes a clock recovery circuit capable of regenerating a clock signal from an electrical signal, a memory storing a first program including a first transmission rate and a second program including a second transmission rate, and a processor executing a program with a higher priority level in a boot process. The processor sets a transmission rate of a program being executed to a transmission rate set value, and operates the clock recovery circuit. In accordance with an interrupt request, the processor sets, based on regeneration or non-regeneration of the clock signal, the priority level of the first or second program that is being executed to be lower than the priority level of the first or second program that is not being executed, and boots up.